It’s an anomaly that while the big men of boxing attract the fans, it’s often the smallest of fighters who deliver the best contests.
Historically, South Africa has produced many top class strawweights and, consequently, many outstanding fights at the weight thanks to the likes of Zolani Petelo, Lindi Memani, Simpiwe Konkco and Paul Oulden.
This Friday, expectations are high that the 12-rounder between Siya Kuse and Beaven Sibanda, the phenom from Zimbabwe, will continue the theme when they climb into the ring at Emperors Palace to fight for the WBC Silver belt at the weight.
With former undisputed world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis looking on at the weigh-in, both were raring to go before a large and enthusiastic crowd of onlookers.
Blessed with vast reserves of energy, slick movement and savvy instinct, Kuse and Sibanda are both in their prime, ready to unpick whatever each has in store for the other.
Kuse, a southpaw, has a smidgeon more experience than Sibanda, but then again Sibanda has never known defeat.
The stage is thus set for a classic showdown. Southpaw Kuse is capable of fighting off the back foot or the front, while Sibanda, charismatic and clever, likes to mix it. He trusts his speed and smarts, as he did last time out in beating the more experienced Siphamandla Baleni in style.
Both are supremely confident, even going so far as to publicly predict victory.
It ought to be a classic of its kind.
In the main support bout, Roarke Knapp returns to the scene of many of his best wins (and a recent defeat) determined to get back in the win column.
The popular junior-middleweight is always up for a good fight and fans enjoy his can-do attitude. At his best he’s a rough and tough operator who loves a tear-up, although he faces a tricky customer in Adones Cabalquinto of the Philippines, a southpaw who knows his business.
Overseas agents and fighters have been sniffing around about a potential big fight in the new year, but Knapp must deal with the business at hand before entertaining any other ambitions.
He’s had an outstanding fight camp and enjoyed tuition from Brian Mitchell, not least with defence, and hopefully the results will be evident on Friday.
There is an eclectic mix of talent on the undercard, including Keanu Koopman in a fight for the SA welterweight title, a 10-rounder between Charlton Malajika and Sabelo Cebekhulu for the WBA Pan-African bantamweight crown, Kestna Davis of the US against Pieter de Klerk, plus Bryan Thysse in a light-heavyweight showdown and Tyla Promnick making her professional debut.
The presence of Lewis at ringside will no doubt elevate the affair with the former unified world heavyweight champion making his second trip to Emperors Palace.
The action will be broadcast live on SuperSport Action and Variety 3 from 7pm Friday.
